Metrobank Art & Design Excellence

September 16, 2011

Earlier this year, Metrobank Foundation invited me to be a member of the Board of Judges of Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE). It’s a very prestigious annual art/design competition. I had to be sworn to secrecy and not reveal myself as a judge. I was among the company of academics, artists, architects, designers. Ramon Orlina was chairman of the board of judges for sculpture. I was one of the judges for the Interior Design category – I suppose because of my exposure Urban Zone. I approached the “job” as a consumer and editor, as I am not a professional interior designer. I could just as well have judged painting as art is my first love and I secretly buy art. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Specialist in Fine Art History from the University of Toronto (Urban Studies was my Major). It was a great honour to have been invited by Metrobank Foundation. The MADE awards’ past recipients include celebrated artists like Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani, Gabby Barredo and recently Ronald Ventura, whose work sold at Sotheby’s for $1.1 million US dollars.

There was a little part where all the judges would be called on stage. Initially the organizers told me the attire was “formal.” Good thing I double checked. Formal means gown. But what they meant was business cocktail. As I don’t do business attire well, I opted for something cocktaily-artsy. This dress is from K&Company’s current collection. Wore them with nude pumps in vegetable tanned leather, can’t get any simpler than that. And a little minaudiere in purple, a gift from Katherine Cheng of K&Company. Grabbed my hair in a high ponytail and put make-up on in the car.

Just wanted to set the record straight. I am not a TV producer in the Philippines, US and Asian region. I’m just the producer of Urban Zone. But I have won awards for my work in the Philippines, US (Gold in US TV and Film Awards in Los Angeles, CA) and Asian region (two Asian TV awards). Sorry to toot my own horn, I have no publicist or manager, LOL.

Aniceto Sobrepena, President of Metrobank Foundation, with other VIPS, awarding the MADE winners.

A lot of people go shopping for new artists in MADE. I was interested in this but it got bought on the spot.

Interesting interpretations of social realism in a very Filipino way. I met one artist who wasn’t among those that competed. She said that she wouldn’t do well here because her art was “too happy.” Cute. Not to say that the art was all dark though. They all had deep socio-political messages, but some were approached with wit, humour and irony. I was on the lookout for technique. I love that there seems to be a move towards photorealism.

Great turnout.

One of the semi-finalists.

I loved the “uniform” of the Metrobank Foundation female staff. They looked distinguised and sophisticated.

The grand prize winner for Interior Design, IDr. Angelo Del Mundo. We picked two finalists out of a batch of 18. We reviewed their plans and sketches and deliberated amongst ourselves for one day. Then the two finalists, Angelo and Childy Elamparo, worked on an empty model unit of a Federaland condo for about two months. Then we went back to see the actual space and judged based on the actual. It was fun and taxing at the same time. I thought it would have made a great TV series…

Sorry for the incomplete photos. I flew solo that day and as you can see, ended up carrying lots of things like my awesome plaque from MADE, a few magazines and stuff. I had to convert my minaudiere into a little bag (it had lapiz lazuli beads as handles).
Congratulations to all the winners and participants of MADE. Thank you Metrobank Foundation for inviting me. Long live Philippine art and design!